Miracles of Eyup Sultan
03 February 2026 - Eyüp Sultan Camii
Eyüp Sultan is not merely a mosque and tomb; it is a blessed place that carries the spiritual heritage of centuries, where countless extraordinary events have occurred. The miracles and divine favors reported to have taken place in the presence of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari have been passed down through generations to our day. In this article, we compile these miraculous stories that have found a place in historical sources and public memory.
\n\nThe Discovery of the Tomb After 800 Years
\n\nPerhaps the greatest miracle related to Eyüp Sultan is the finding of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari's tomb approximately 800 years later. This great companion, who passed away before the walls of Constantinople in 669, was buried at the base of the walls according to his will.
\n\nOver the passing centuries, the exact location of the tomb became unknown. During the Byzantine period, the area was used for different purposes and the tomb was naturally covered over. However, after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Fatih Sultan Mehmed asked his teacher Akshemseddin to find the tomb.
\n\nAkshemseddin entered a spiritual search for three days. According to tradition, one night he saw the location of the tomb in a dream. When excavation was carried out at the spot he indicated the next day, a tablet inscribed in Kufic script was found beneath the earth. Even more astonishing was the pleasant fragrance that emanated from the tomb and spread throughout the area. This event profoundly affected the morale of the conquest army and laid the foundation for Constantinople to become a spiritual capital for Muslims.
\n\nPatients Who Found Healing
\n\nEyüp Sultan Tomb has been a center where the sick sought healing for centuries. Hundreds of accounts of patients who visited the tomb during the Ottoman period and recovered have been recorded in sources.
\n\nEvliya Celebi, in his Seyahatname, relates the stories of many people who visited the tomb and found healing. According to Evliya Celebi, especially patients suffering from eye ailments, paralysis, and chronic pain showed signs of recovery after praying at the tomb.
\n\nOttoman archive documents contain records of patients who came from distant lands seeking healing at Eyüp Sultan. According to some sources, even non-Muslim patients visited the tomb and reported that they were healed. This was interpreted as a sign that the spiritual power of Eyüp Sultan reached all people regardless of religious distinction.
\n\nLights Over the Tomb
\n\nIn Ottoman sources, there are many accounts of lights being seen over Eyüp Sultan Tomb at night. It is particularly reported that bright lights were seen over the tomb on Laylat al-Qadr and Friday nights.
\n\nHistorian Pecevi Ibrahim Efendi wrote in his work that he saw a light rising toward the sky over the tomb one Friday night, and that this deeply affected him. Similar accounts have been repeated in different sources from different periods.
\n\nAccording to popular belief, those who pass by Eyüp Sultan Tomb sometimes feel an indescribable peace and serenity. This feeling has been considered a spiritual manifestation and attributed to the blessing of the tomb.
\n\nGlad Tidings Through Dreams
\n\nOne of the most common miracle accounts related to Eyüp Sultan involves dreams. Over the centuries, many people have reported seeing Abu Ayyub al-Ansari in their dreams before or after visiting the tomb and receiving glad tidings or advice from him.
\n\nFatih Sultan Mehmed himself is reported to have seen Abu Ayyub al-Ansari in his dream before the conquest of Constantinople and been encouraged toward the conquest. This dream became one of the spiritual supports that strengthened the young sultan's determination to conquer Constantinople.
\n\nMany among the Ottoman scholars also reported experiencing spiritual openings after worshipping at the tomb, finding solutions to scholarly problems in their dreams. For this reason, Eyüp Sultan has also been known among scholars as 'the station that resolves difficulties'.
\n\nProtection from Earthquakes and Disasters
\n\nIstanbul has experienced countless major earthquakes throughout history. Eyüp Sultan Mosque also suffered severe damage in the 1766 earthquake and was rebuilt. However, there is a remarkable belief among the people: the tomb itself has never been damaged by any disaster.
\n\nDuring the 1509 earthquake, known as the 'Little Doomsday,' while many structures in the city were leveled, it is reported that the Eyüp Sultan Tomb remained standing. The fact that the tomb structure remained intact even though the mosque collapsed in the 1766 earthquake was interpreted by the people as the protection of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.
\n\nSimilarly, the tomb structure suffered no serious damage in the 1894 earthquake and the 1999 Marmara earthquake, strengthening this belief.
\n\nAcceptance of Prayers
\n\nOne of the most widely known miracles of Eyüp Sultan is the acceptance of prayers offered here. For centuries, everyone from sultans to ordinary people has expressed their most sincere wishes in this sacred place.
\n\nSuleiman the Magnificent would visit Eyüp Sultan Tomb before embarking on major campaigns and pray for victory. According to Ottoman sources, the vast majority of campaigns following these visits ended in victory.
\n\nToday as well, hundreds of people visit the tomb daily with different intentions and wishes. Students before exams, those seeking healing from illness, those who wish to marry, those seeking success in business... What they all have in common is a deep belief that prayers offered in the spiritual atmosphere of Eyüp Sultan find their answer.
\n\nThe Plane Tree That Never Withers
\n\nThe centuries-old plane tree in the mosque's courtyard is one of the symbols of Eyüp Sultan. According to tradition, this tree has been standing since the mosque's first construction and has never withered over the centuries.
\n\nAccording to popular belief, this plane tree draws its share from the blessing of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari and therefore remains green in every season. It is believed to carry a spiritual connection because its roots extend close to the tomb.
\n\nFrom a botanical perspective, the tree's such long lifespan is indeed remarkable. While experts note that the humid climate and soil structure of the Golden Horn shore contribute to the tree's longevity, in the public eye, this is considered a spiritual divine favor.
\n\nThe Silence of the Birds
\n\nThose who visit Eyüp Sultan Tomb notice that the outside noise seems to cease when inside the tomb. A particularly noteworthy point is that the pigeons, abundant in the area, remain silent inside the tomb.
\n\nDespite hundreds of pigeons in the courtyard and surroundings of the mosque, it has been observed that their sounds cease when they enter the inner space of the tomb. This is interpreted by visitors as the spiritual reverence for Abu Ayyub al-Ansari extending even to the birds.
\n\nA similar observation has been made during the call to prayer. During prayer times, it has been observed that the mosque's pigeons fall into a certain order and seem to listen to the adhan.
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These miracles and divine favors are events that can be understood through the power of faith and spiritual experience. These accounts, which hold an important place in our world of belief, show that Eyüp Sultan is not merely a place, but a living tradition that keeps alive the spiritual heritage of centuries. Every feeling you experience in the presence of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari is a part of this ancient tradition reaching you.